--- title: "Hilton Head Island Fishing" url: https://www.herehiltonhead.com/fishing-hilton-head-sc/ date: 2026-05-18T14:44:49+00:00 modified: 2026-05-18T14:44:49+00:00 author: "" site: "HERE Hilton Head" attribution: "HERE Hilton Head" --- # Hilton Head Island Fishing *Source: [HERE Hilton Head](https://www.herehiltonhead.com/fishing-hilton-head-sc/) — May 18, 2026 by * Latest [Placeholder #10 — The Gettysburg Address [weddings]](https://www.herehiltonhead.com/2026/05/18/placeholder-weddings-10/) ☁ 70°F Clear · Hilton Head Island HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC · LOWCOUNTRY / BEAUFORT COUNTY EDITION · TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026 [BUSINESS DIRECTORY](/business-directory-hilton-head-sc/) | [ADD YOUR BUSINESS](/add-business/) | [NEWSLETTER](/newsletter/) | [SUBMIT A TIP](/submit-a-tip/) [HERE City Network](https://www.herecity.com) [HEREHilton Head Island Why It Matters. 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Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Spawning Catfish: Hot 9 Waters Profiled **9** Waters Profiled **Live** Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season First Look • Fishing Conditions 🌒 Waxing Crescent Illumination: 37% Air Temp 68°F Est. Water 68°F Wind 6 mph Pressure 1016 Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours. 92 EXCELLENT Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light. Beaufort County • Lowcountry / Beaufort County SC Your Local *Fishing Resource* York County punches well above its weight as a Catawba-corridor fishing destination. Lake Wylie's 13,400 acres dominate the local fishery, with the South Fork and Allison Creek arms holding largemouth and spotted bass year-round and the main lake near Buster Boyd loading up with stripers each summer. Fishing Creek Reservoir downstream offers quieter crappie water around standing timber. The Catawba tailrace below the Wylie dam is one of the Carolinas' best striper fisheries when Duke Energy is generating. Kid-and-grandkid water — Lake Haigler at Andrew Jackson State Park, Cherry Park's Manchester Creek, and Sunset Park Pond in Tega Cay — round out the roster. Whether you're launching at Ebenezer Park, drifting cut bait through the tailrace seams, or working a bobber along Cherry Park's bank with the kids, the HERE Rock Hill Fishing Report has your conditions, regulations, and community coverage all in one place. Current Conditions • Hilton Head Island Waters Species *Status* Largemouth Bass HOT Pre-spawn and spawn mode. Bass are in the shallows — topwater and soft plastics on beds. **Top Bait**Spinnerbait, Topwater Frog, Plastic Worm **Depth**2-8 ft (spawning flats) Smallmouth Bass HOT Smallmouth not native here — spotted bass fill that niche on Lake Wylie's rocky points. **Top Bait**Tube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig **Depth**Shoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft Crappie HOT SPAWN MODE. Crappie are stacked on shallow brush, docks, and bridge pilings at 3-6 ft. **Top Bait**Small Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float **Depth**3-8 ft (spawning brush) Catfish HOT Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent — cut shad and chicken liver. **Top Bait**Cut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait **Depth**Channel edges, 10-30 ft Bluegill / Bream HOT Bluegill on the bed — largest fish of the year on spawning colonies in 1-4 ft gravel flats. Cricket fishing is magic. **Top Bait**Cricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz) **Depth**Spawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft Trout SLOW No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused — check for next stocking dates. **Top Bait**PowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner **Depth**Closest stocked trout waters are north of York County — check SCDNR stocking report. Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Beaufort County waters. Always verify SCDNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out. [Report a Bite Update](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-bite-update) Fishing Report Partners [Dick's Sporting Goods](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/c/fishing) [Bass Pro Shops](https://www.basspro.com) [REI Co-op](https://www.rei.com/c/fishing) [Academy Sports](https://www.academy.com/fishing) First Look Weather & *Fishing Conditions* 68F Partly Cloudy Feels like 65°F Wind 6 mph SSW Humidity 62% Pressure 1016 hPa Est. Water Temp 68°F Moon Waxing Crescent Sunrise / Sunset 6:45 am / 7:50 pm Location Hilton Head Island, SC On-the-Water Tips - Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening. - Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations. - Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly. Solunar Index Fishing *Conditions Dashboard* Air Temperature 68°F Optimal Bite Wind Speed 6 mph Calm — Ideal Barometric Pressure 1016 hPa Falling — Feeding! Moon Phase 🌒 Good EXCELLENT Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light. Extended Outlook 5-Day Fishing *Forecast* MON Sunny 70° / 51° 9 mph wind • 52% humidity EXCELLENT TUE Partly Cloudy 73° / 55° 11 mph wind • 54% humidity EXCELLENT WED Light Rain 65° / 48° 8 mph wind • 58% humidity EXCELLENT THU Clear & Cool 62° / 45° 4 mph wind • 55% humidity EXCELLENT FRI Mostly Cloudy 75° / 57° 10 mph wind • 52% humidity GOOD Lakes & Rivers Water Body *Profiles* Nine fishing waters within Beaufort County — six public lakes and three rivers — with species, access, tips, and restrictions. Lake Wylie 13,400 Duke Energy Reservoir Lake Wylie / Tega Cay / York County, SC Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Striped Bass Hybrid Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill Lake Wylie is a 13,400-acre Duke Energy impoundment of the Catawba River straddling the SC–NC line. The York County side anchors year-round fishing pressure for largemouth, spotted bass, and a robust striped bass population. Submerged timber, brush piles, and 325 miles of shoreline produce consistent action. The Big Allison Creek arm and South Fork are reliable bass producers; the main lake near Buster Boyd holds stripers in summer. Ebenezer Park (York County) boat ramp off Cherry Road in Rock Hill. Additional public ramps at Buster Boyd, South Point, and Allison Creek. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Throw topwater walking baits at dawn near rocky points in summer for spotted bass. Live shad fished 25-35 feet down over main-lake humps catches stripers June through September. Field Guide Coming Soon Catawba River (below Lake Wylie Dam) Tailrace fishery Tailrace River Catawba / Fort Mill, SC Striped Bass Largemouth Bass Catfish Bream White Bass The Catawba River tailrace below the Lake Wylie Dam is one of the Carolinas' most productive striped bass fisheries. Cool, oxygenated water flowing through York County draws stripers, white bass, and trophy catfish year-round. Bank access from the South Carolina side near the Highway 49 bridge and at the Landsford Canal State Park downstream. Landsford Canal State Park (south end). Highway 49 bridge access. Wade and bank fishing legal; some sections boat-only when water is generating. Angler Tip When Duke Energy is generating, drift cut bait through the seams just below the dam for stripers. Check the Duke generation schedule before any wade trip — flows can rise fast. Field Guide Coming Soon Fishing Creek Reservoir 3,370 Duke Energy Reservoir Great Falls / York-Chester County line, SC Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Crappie Catfish White Bass Fishing Creek Reservoir is the next Catawba River impoundment downstream of Lake Wylie. Less developed than Wylie, it offers quieter water and excellent crappie fishing around standing timber and brushpiles. Bass anglers work the rocky points and creek mouths. The lake feeds the Great Falls hydro complex. Duke Energy public access at Fishing Creek Dam. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Spider-rig minnows over brushpiles in 12-18 feet for slab crappie in March and April. Bass key on rocky points with crankbaits in late spring. Field Guide Coming Soon Lake Haigler 120 City Park Pond Andrew Jackson State Park / Lancaster-York border Largemouth Bass Bluegill Catfish Redear Sunfish A 120-acre lake inside Andrew Jackson State Park, just south of the York County line. Family-friendly bank fishing, jon-boat rentals, and a stocked bluegill population make it an ideal kids-and-grandkids lake. Bass to 5 pounds caught regularly from shoreline. Andrew Jackson State Park, US-521 south of Lancaster. Park entrance fee. Jon boats rent on-site; no gas motors. Angler Tip Live crickets under a small float along the lily pads produce bluegill all summer. Topwater frogs over pads at dusk for bass. Field Guide Coming Soon Manchester Creek (Cherry Park) Small urban creek Urban Park Stream Cherry Park, Rock Hill, SC Bluegill Bass Catfish (small) A walkable urban creek and small impoundment inside Cherry Park near downtown Rock Hill. Perfect first-fish destination for kids — manageable bank access, walking paths, and shaded benches. Bluegill numbers are strong; occasional bass. Cherry Park, Cherry Road, Rock Hill. Free parking. No boats. Angler Tip Worm and bobber rig 18 inches deep along the bank. Bring a bucket — bluegill come fast on summer evenings. Field Guide Coming Soon Hidden Lakes 45 Private Pay-Lake / York County York County, SC Catfish Largemouth Bass Bream A small York County pay-lake offering stocked catfish and bass. Family-friendly with picnic tables and shaded fishing piers. Daily-fee fishing — no SC license required when fishing on a permitted private pay-lake. Daily fee. Open seasonally, check Facebook for hours. Angler Tip Chicken liver on a circle hook fished 4 feet deep along the dam produces channel cats all day. Field Guide Coming Soon Sunset Park Pond (Tega Cay) 8 City Park Pond Tega Cay, SC Bluegill Largemouth Bass Catfish A small stocked pond inside Sunset Park in Tega Cay, just off the Lake Wylie shoreline. Excellent first-fish water with sidewalk access around the entire perimeter. City-managed. Sunset Park, Tega Cay. Free, daylight hours. Angler Tip Inline spinners along the dam for bass. Bluegill take crickets under the willow at the north end. Field Guide Coming Soon Allison Creek (Lake Wylie tributary) Tributary arm Reservoir Arm York County, SC Largemouth Bass Crappie Catfish Allison Creek is the largest York County tributary feeding Lake Wylie. The protected arm holds bass, crappie, and bream in the backs of pockets year-round. Less wind-blown than the main lake — good fall and early-spring fishing. Allison Creek Boat Ramp (Duke Energy public ramp). Hands-down the best York County Wylie launch for the upper lake. Angler Tip Skip soft jerkbaits under boat docks in the spring pre-spawn. Live shiners near submerged stumps in fall. Field Guide Coming Soon Crowders Creek (Clover area) Tributary Tributary Creek Clover / York County, SC Bream Bass Catfish Crowders Creek drains the Crowders Mountain area into Lake Wylie. The lower York County reach offers walk-in bank fishing, especially at road crossings. Quiet, scenic, and overlooked. Public road-crossing bank access on multiple county roads. Respect adjacent private land. Angler Tip Inline spinners and small crankbaits worked through the deeper bends produce bass and a mix of panfish. Field Guide Coming Soon Did We Miss a Spot? Know a Hilton Head Island-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know. [Report a Fishing Spot](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-fishing-spot) Local Experts Field *Guides* Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Hilton Head Island. Expert captains for Lake Wylie, the Catawba River, and Beaufort County waters. CP Cliff Pitts Veteran Lake Wylie guide specializing in striped bass and crappie. Lake Wylie Catawba River [(803) 555-0100](tel:8035550100) Guide Service or Charter Captain? Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Beaufort County and the HERE City Network. [List Your Guide Service](/contact/) Community Reviews I Fished *Here* Lake Wylie Ricky • May 10, 2026 Hit the lower lake out of Ebenezer Park on Saturday morning. Crappie were stacked on the brush piles in 14-18 feet — caught 22 keepers between 7 and 10 AM on a 1/16 oz pink/chartreuse jig under a slip cork. Water was 68 degrees and clear. Also picked up two nice white perch on the same setup. **Species:** Crappie **Lure/Bait:** Pink/chartreuse 1/16 oz jig under slip cork **Best Spot:** Brush piles off Ebenezer Park, 14-18 ft Catawba River Marcus • May 8, 2026 Threw live shad below the Lake Wylie tailrace at first light. Picked up 4 stripers in about an hour, biggest a 28-incher. Current was moving good after the morning release — anchor up just outside the heavy flow and free-line shad into the seam. Bring extra weights, you will lose tackle in those rocks. **Species:** Striped Bass **Lure/Bait:** Free-lined live shad **Best Spot:** Tailrace seam below Lake Wylie dam Fishing Creek Reservoir Janice • May 6, 2026 Drove down from Rock Hill to Nitrolee Access for a slab crappie trip. Found the SCDNR fish attractor on the lower end and dropped minnows under a slip float in 12 feet. Caught 18 crappie including three over 13 inches in about three hours. Almost no other boats out — way less pressure than Wylie. **Species:** Black Crappie **Lure/Bait:** Live minnows on slip float **Best Spot:** SCDNR fish attractor, Nitrolee Access lower end Manchester Creek Tyler • May 3, 2026 Walked the greenway trail down to the creek mouth at Rock Hill River Park with my son before work. He landed a 3-pound largemouth on a Senko worked along the laydowns just upstream of the river confluence. Caught half a dozen sunfish on small spinners. You can't beat a 20-minute walk for fishing this good inside city limits. **Species:** Largemouth Bass **Lure/Bait:** Wacky-rigged Senko / small inline spinner **Best Spot:** Laydowns near creek mouth, Rock Hill River Park Share Your Trip Fished a Hilton Head Island-area lake or river? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer. Water Body Fished * Select a water body... Lake Wylie Catawba River (below Lake Wylie Dam) Fishing Creek Reservoir Lake Haigler Manchester Creek (Cherry Park) Hidden Lakes Sunset Park Pond (Tega Cay) Allison Creek (Lake Wylie tributary) Crowders Creek (Clover area) Other Lake / Pond Other River / Creek Your First Name * How Was the Fishing? * (280 characters max) Species Caught Select species... Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill / Bream Trout Multiple Species Other Lure / Bait That Worked Best Spot / Area on the Water Submit Review Community Here *We...* Reel Them *In...* Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Hilton Head Island anglers. Your First Name * Where Did You Catch It? Species * Select species... Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill Trout Other Weight / Length / Details Tell Us About It * (200 chars max) Photo or Video (optional, max 8MB) Submit Catch Cast Them *Cold...* Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed? Your First Name * Bar / Restaurant Name * Go-To Drink Why This Spot? * (200 chars max) Photo of the Bar or Drink (optional, max 8MB) Submit Pick Coverage Fishing News *HERE* Presented by [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=fishing) Local — Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry / Beaufort County Coming Soon Local Hilton Head Island Fishing Coverage Coming Soon Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and Lowcountry / Beaufort County fishing coverage from the HERE Hilton Head newsroom. National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation Coming Soon National National Fishing Coverage Coming Soon Bass fishing news, conservation legislation, national tournament results, gear reviews, and fishing stories with a Hilton Head Island perspective. [View All Hilton Head Island Fishing Coverage →](/tag/fishing-hilton-head-sc/) More at Outdoor Sports Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry / Beaufort County SC [See All at Outdoor Sports](/outdoor-sports/) Partner [Advertise Here](/section-sponsorship/) Tackle, Rods and Reels Essential *Gear HERE* Gear reviews and picks for the Hilton Head Island angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Lowcountry / Beaufort County SC waters. Presented by https://www.amazon.com/?tag=test0c2e1-20 Shop our hand-picked fishing gear on Amazon. Free Prime shipping, easy returns. [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=fishing) Gear Reviews — Tested for Lowcountry / Beaufort County SC Waters As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change. https://amzn.to/4nFQamw KastKing Royale Legend II Baitcaster Baitcasting Reel Compact baitcasting reel with 17.64-lb carbon fiber drag and a Cross-Fire 8-magnet braking system. Available in 5.4:1 and 7.2:1 ratios — pick the high-speed for burning chatterbaits and squarebill cranks, the slower gear for deep-cranking ledges. The lighter weight and shallower spool make it forgiving for anglers stepping up from spinning gear. A real value at this price for upstate lake bass. Baitcaster Carbon Drag Bass ★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 $45.99 Best for: Bass, chatterbaits, squarebill cranks, dock fishing [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4nFQamw) https://amzn.to/492LzVj PLUSINNO 9-Rod Vertical Rod Holder Wall-Mount Rod Rack Wall-mounted vertical rod holder that keeps up to 9 rods or rod-and-reel combos organized in the garage, basement, or boat shed. Strong felt-lined cradles protect cork handles and rod blanks from dings. Easy two-screw install, no studs required for most setups. Free up floor space and keep your spinning and casting setups separated and ready to grab. Rod Storage Wall Mount Gift ★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5 $19.31 Best for: Garage organization, rod storage, gift for anglers [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/492LzVj) https://amzn.to/4ugG9Pa Seesii Cordless Electric Fillet Knife Electric Fillet Knife Cordless fillet knife with 4 interchangeable blades (12" and 9" stiff for big saltwater fish, 9" and 7" flex for crappie and bluegill), two 2000mAh batteries, dual safety lock, and an anti-cut glove kit. Ergonomic non-slip grip handles wet hands without slipping. The 100-minute runtime per charge gets through a full cooler of crappie or a limit of catfish without recharging. Carry bag included. Cordless 4 Blades Cleaning ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $59.99 Best for: Crappie limits, catfish, panfish, saltwater [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4ugG9Pa) https://amzn.to/4ua7v9q Velrifya Tentacle Creature Bass Lure Soft Plastic Bait Japanese-style soft plastic creature bait engineered for finesse bass presentations. The tentacles flutter on the fall — a strike trigger for pressured fish on clear-water lakes. Rig wacky for suspended bass, on a drop-shot for deep summer schools, or Neko-style for finicky post-spawn fish. Slow-sinking action gives bass time to commit. Highly effective in tournaments and on heavily fished local waters. Soft Plastic Finesse Bass ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 $14.99 Best for: Finesse bass, drop-shot, wacky rig, Neko rig [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4ua7v9q) https://amzn.to/4dd5EL7 Aidmi Magnet-Release Fishing Gloves (2-Pack) Fish Handling Gloves Puncture-proof fishing gloves with a magnet-release clip that snaps to your waders, belt, or boat. Non-slip palm grip handles bass, catfish, and pickerel safely — no more dropped fish or bloody hands. Cut-resistant fabric protects against gill spines and treble hooks during unhook. Two gloves per pack, fits men and women. Cleans up after fillet work too. Gloves Magnet Clip Puncture-Proof ★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 $11.58 Best for: Bass lipping, catfish handling, ice fishing [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4dd5EL7) https://amzn.to/4eMtkXX MEIYA Digital Fishing Scale (110 lb) Digital Fish Scale Portable digital fishing scale weighing up to 110 lb / 50 kg in 0.01-lb increments. Backlit LCD makes it readable in low-light boat launches and pre-dawn dock weigh-ins. Stainless steel hook handles wet fish, the tare function nets out weight of bags or stringers, and the auto-shutoff preserves the 2 AAA batteries (included). Tournament accuracy at a recreational price. Digital Scale Tournament 110 lb ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $7.99 Best for: Tournament weigh-ins, personal-best tracking, catch logs [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4eMtkXX) Tackle Shop, Guide Service, or Marina? Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active anglers across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities. [Learn About Gear Advertising](/contact/) South Carolina DNR SCDNR *Regulations* License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Beaufort County waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov. SC Fishing Licenses SC Resident Annual Age 16+ required to fish all public waters $10.00 SC Resident Senior (65+) Reduced rate for SC residents age 65 and over $5.00 Non-Resident Annual Required for all non-SC residents age 16+ $35.00 Non-Resident 3-Day Short-term license for visiting anglers $11.00 Free Fishing Days May 25 (Memorial Weekend) and July 4 — no license required FREE Boating Permit (Lakes) SC fishing license covers Lake Wylie + Fishing Creek (Duke Energy waters). No municipal boating permit required. Varies Bag & Size Limits — Hilton Head Island Waters Largemouth Bass 5 combined black bass **Min Size:**12″ minimum on Lake Wylie + Fishing Creek; 14″ on spotted bass Per SCDNR eRegulations. Combined limit includes smallmouth, redeye, spotted. Smallmouth Bass See black bass limit **Min Size:**12" minimum statewide Smallmouth not native to York County's warm-water Catawba chain. Crappie (Black & White) 20 per day **Min Size:**8" minimum statewide Per SC Code 50-13-220. 8-inch size limit effective 2012. Blue Catfish 25 per day **Min Size:**Only 2 fish over 32" per person Per SCDNR eRegulations. No special York County reservoir limits beyond statewide. Bluegill / Bream 30 per day statewide **Min Size:**No minimum Per SCDNR eRegulations. Redbreast sunfish: 15/day separately. Trout (all species) 5 per day trout season **Min Size:**No minimum (stocked) Stocking schedule posted by SCDNR each season Special Rules & Alerts for Hilton Head Island Waters - **Lake Wylie & Fishing Creek Reservoir:** Duke Energy reservoirs — SC fishing license covers both. Largemouth 12-inch minimum; spotted bass 14-inch minimum; 5 combined black bass daily. - **Striped Bass (Lake Wylie + Catawba tailrace):** 21-inch minimum, 2 fish daily. Check SCDNR for seasonal closures when generation flows are high. - **Lake Haigler (Andrew Jackson State Park):** No gasoline engines — electric trolling motors only. Park entrance fee required. - **Catawba Tailrace:** Check Duke Energy generation schedule before wading. Flows can rise fast. Bank and wade fishing legal where posted. - **Free Fishing Days 2026:** May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days. - **Cherry Park Manchester Creek & Sunset Park Pond:** Walk-in only, no boats. SC freshwater license required for ages 16+. Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with the SC Department of Natural Resources at **dnr.sc.gov** or by calling the SCDNR Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Duke Energy reservoir rules (Lake Wylie, Fishing Creek) align with SCDNR statewide freshwater rules — no separate municipal permit required. State park lakes (Lake Haigler) charge a separate park entrance fee. Spawn Timing & Key Dates Season *Calendar* Feb 15 - Mar 15 Water temps 50-58°F. Bass staging on secondary points and creek channels. Mar 15 - Apr 30 Crappie move shallow to brush and docks. Best bite of the year on all 4 county lakes. Apr 1 - May 15 Largemouth on beds in 2-6 ft. Sight fishing productive on clear lakes like Cooley. Apr - May Stocked streams within driving distance of Spartanburg. Check SCDNR schedule. May 1 - Jun 30 Crickets and small poppers around shallow gravel. Peak family fishing period. May 25 SC residents can fish freshwater without a license. All other regs apply. Jun 1 - Aug 31 Channel cats active on cut bait and chicken liver. Night fishing productive. Jul 4 SC residents can fish freshwater without a license. All other regs apply. Sep 1 - Oct 31 Cooling water triggers shad movement. Follow the baitfish to find bass. Oct 15 - Nov 30 Crappie school on main-lake points and channel ledges. Second-best bite of the year. Nov - Feb Slow presentations on deep ledges and channel breaks. Jerkbaits and jigs. Year-Round River bass fishable all 12 months. Peak March-June, good Oct-Nov. Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Beaufort County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. SCDNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit dnr.sc.gov for exact dates and stocking locations. Competition Tournament *Calendar* Upcoming fishing tournaments and events across Beaufort County waters. Bass April 12, 2026 Lake Wylie Spring Open Ebenezer Park ramp, Rock Hill — York County Anglers Club Striper May 17, 2026 Catawba River Striper Classic Below Lake Wylie Dam, Fort Mill side Bass June 14, 2026 Tega Cay Bass Charity Open Sunset Park launch, Tega Cay Catfish July 26, 2026 Fishing Creek Catfish Tournament Great Falls area Bass September 13, 2026 Lake Wylie Fall Classic Buster Boyd ramp Family October 18, 2026 Rock Hill Kids Fishing Day Cherry Park — free, ages 15 and under, bait provided Fish and Stay Stay & *Play* Fishing getaways within driving distance of Hilton Head Island and partner destinations across the HERE City Network. Regional — Within Driving Distance Ebenezer Park Campground Rock Hill, SC York County waterfront park on Lake Wylie. 67 campsites with full hookups, public boat ramp on-site, and a fishing pier. Walk-to-fish convenience for Lake Wylie anglers. [Learn More →](https://www.yorkcountygov.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Ebenezer-Park-19) Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC 2,100-acre nature preserve with lake fishing (Lake Haigler and the Greenway lakes), trail-side cabins, and a campground. Family-friendly first-fish water for visitors. [Learn More →](https://www.ascgreenway.org/) Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SC — 30 min from Rock Hill Lake Haigler bank and jon-boat fishing, plus tent and RV camping. Stocked bream and bass, kid-friendly bank access, jon boats rent on-site. [Learn More →](https://southcarolinaparks.com/andrew-jackson) National — HERE City Network Partners Owl's Nest Resort Thornton, NH New England fly fishing and golf resort with private river access. Brown and brook trout. HERE City Network partner property. [Learn More →](https://www.owlsnestresort.com) Rough Creek Lodge Glen Rose, TX Luxury sporting resort with private bass fishing lakes, guided trips, and Texas Hill Country cuisine. HERE City Network partner property. [Learn More →](https://www.roughcreek.com) Resort, Lodge, or Campground? Get featured in the Stay & Play section and reach active anglers across the HERE City Network. [Learn About Stay & Play Advertising](/contact/) Questions and Answers Fishing *FAQ* Common questions about fishing in the Hilton Head Island area, answered. - Do I need a fishing license to fish in Hilton Head Island SC? Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in Beaufort County. SC residents pay $10 for an annual freshwater license. Non-residents pay $35 annually or $11 for a 3-day license. Licenses are available at SCDNR.sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license. - What are the best fishing lakes near Rock Hill SC? York County's flagship fishery is Lake Wylie — 13,400 acres of Duke Energy reservoir on the Catawba River, straddling the SC-NC line with 325 miles of shoreline. The South Fork, Allison Creek, and Big Allison arms are the most productive. Fishing Creek Reservoir (3,370 acres) downstream toward Great Falls offers quieter water and excellent crappie fishing. Lake Haigler at Andrew Jackson State Park (120 acres) is family-friendly with electric-motor-only rules. Smaller waters — Cherry Park's Manchester Creek, Sunset Park Pond in Tega Cay, Hidden Lakes, and the Crowders Creek arm — round out the local roster. - When is the best time to fish for crappie in Hilton Head Island? The best crappie fishing in York County is during the spring spawn, late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into 2-6 feet of water around brush, boat docks, and standing timber. Lake Wylie's Allison Creek arm and the South Fork are top picks. Fishing Creek Reservoir's submerged timber holds equally strong numbers. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper in 12-18 feet as water cools — spider-rigging minnows over brush piles is the proven approach. - Can you kayak fish on Beaufort County lakes? Yes — kayak fishing is excellent across York County's Catawba waters. Lake Wylie's quieter coves (Allison Creek, Big Allison) and the back-pockets of the South Fork are kayak-ideal at dawn and dusk before the boat traffic. The Catawba River below Landsford Canal State Park offers a beautiful float through historic mill country. Lake Haigler at Andrew Jackson State Park rents jon boats and welcomes kayaks — no gas motors anywhere on Haigler. Manchester Creek inside Cherry Park is walk-in only; kayaks not practical there. - What species can I catch in the Catawba River and its tailrace? The Catawba River system through York County is one of the most productive in the upstate. Lake Wylie holds largemouth, spotted, striped, and hybrid bass, plus a strong crappie and catfish population. The tailrace below the Wylie dam draws striped bass, white bass, and trophy catfish year-round — especially when Duke Energy is generating cool, oxygenated water. Wading and bank fishing are legal where access is open; some sections become boat-only during heavy flows. The South Fork tributaries (Allison Creek, Crowders Creek) hold bass and bream in the protected back-pockets. - Do Hilton Head Island lakes get trout stocked? Trout are not a significant York County fishery — the warm-water Catawba reservoirs (Lake Wylie, Fishing Creek) don't hold trout naturally, and SCDNR's trout stocking program focuses on cooler mountain streams in upstate South Carolina rather than the piedmont. If you're after trout, check the SCDNR freshwater trout stocking report at dnr.sc.gov for the nearest stocked waters (typically Chesterfield County and points north). York County anglers fishing close to home are far better served targeting Lake Wylie's bass and stripers or the Catawba tailrace's striper run. [See More Hilton Head Island Fishing Coverage →](https://www.herehiltonhead.com/tag/fishing-hilton-head-sc/)